Abstract
The properties of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface were modified by a one-step deposition of plasma polymerized hexamethyldisilazane (pp-HMDS) by the arc discharge method. Scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analytical techniques were employed for morphological, structural, and chemical characterization of the pp-HMDS modified PDMS surface. The changes in PDMS substrate wetting properties were evaluated by means of contact angle measurements. The unmodified PDMS surface is hydrophobic with a contact angle of 122°, while, after pp-HMDS film deposition, a dual-scale roughness PDMS surface with contact angle values as high as 170° was obtained. It was found that the value of the contact angle depends on the plasma processing time. Chemically, the pp-HMDS presents methyl moieties, rendering it hydrophobic and making it an attractive material for creating a superhydrophobic surface, and eliminating the need for complex chemical routes. The presented approach may open up new avenues in design and fabrication of superhydrophobic and flexible organosilicon materials with a self-cleaning function.
Highlights
Polydimethylsiloxanes (PMDS) are the most widely used silicon-based organic polymers, commonly referred to as silicones
PDMS hydrophobicity plays an important role in diverse applications e.g., self-cleaning surfaces [3], microfluidics [4], microelectromechanical systems [5], and biomedical applications [6]
Superhydrophobic PDMS surfaces can be fabricated by pulsed laser irradiation resulting in surface modification with a static contact angle (CA) value of 170◦ [7]
Summary
Polydimethylsiloxanes (PMDS) are the most widely used silicon-based organic polymers, commonly referred to as silicones. PDMS hydrophobicity plays an important role in diverse applications e.g., self-cleaning surfaces [3], microfluidics [4], microelectromechanical systems [5], and biomedical applications [6]. Superhydrophobic PDMS surfaces can be fabricated by pulsed laser irradiation resulting in surface modification with a static contact angle (CA) value of 170◦ [7]. The whole irradiation procedure is highly time-consuming, limiting the scalability of this method. A more reliable and effective practice includes the deposition/formation of a thin film on the surface of the material to obtain the desired functionality. Plasma treatment is attractive as the processing time is short, the process involves low temperature, and procedures are relatively simple. A single-step technique is desired for obtaining superhydrophobic and self-cleaning surface functionalities
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